Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
Bulawayo Bureau
ZIMBABWE’S assumption of the COMESA chairmanship presents an opportunity to expand regional trade and investment, with experts saying the benefits will only be meaningful if small and medium-sized enterprises are deliberately connected to markets, financiers and supply chains across the bloc.
Zimbabwe is set to host the 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Heads of State and Government Summit in October, when it will take over the chairmanship from Kenya.
The summit is expected to focus on economic integration, industrialisation and investment, with local business leaders urging Government and the private sector to translate the high-level gathering into tangible opportunities for businesses.
Bulawayo businessman and former Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland chapter vice president Mr Louis Herbst said SMEs should be placed at the centre of the regional integration agenda.
“I would also like to see particular attention given to SMEs. Regional integration will only become meaningful when smaller Zimbabwean businesses can actually access these markets,” he said.
“We need mechanisms that connect SMEs with buyers, financiers and distributors across COMESA, rather than leaving regional trade largely to large corporations.”
SMEs form a significant part of Zimbabwe’s economy and provide livelihoods for millions of people, but many remain informal and face challenges including limited access to finance, technology, markets and distribution networks.
Mr Herbst said Zimbabwe’s incoming chairmanship provided an opportunity to address some of these barriers and influence policies that could make it easier for businesses to operate across borders.
“Zimbabwe also has an opportunity through its incoming COMESA chairmanship to influence the regional agenda for the coming year.
“The business community should therefore engage strongly with Government so that the chairmanship becomes an opportunity to champion policies that make it easier for businesses to trade, invest, manufacture and move capital and goods across the region,” he said.
Mr Herbst also challenged the private sector to become more proactive in identifying and pursuing opportunities arising from regional integration rather than waiting for Government to create them.
“The business community has to stop waiting for the Government to think, act and create opportunities for industry. Industry must do this for itself and capture opportunities through occasions like this to sound out the need, the desire and importance of inclusion,” he said.
Mr Herbst said Zimbabwe should measure the success of the summit by the economic opportunities created after delegates leave the country rather than the number of high-profile guests attending.
“Ultimately, the measure of the Summit’s success should not be the number of dignitaries who attend Harare, but what happens after they leave,” he said.
“If Zimbabwe can secure new investment, open markets for local producers, strengthen regional value chains and establish concrete business-to-business partnerships, then hosting COMESA can become a genuine economic catalyst rather than simply another international event in the diaries of endless intent.”
